What does the very first line of the Dao De Jing says?

What does the very first line of the Dao De Jing says?

This is the first line: “The tao that can be told is not the eternal Tao.” That one sentence carries a gold mine worth of spiritual wisdom. How?

What is the main theme of the Dao De Jing?

An important theme underlying much of the Dao De Jing is that the Dao (the Way) is a path that preserves cooperation and harmony between yin and yang. Yin and yang are opposing but mutually complementary principles of the universe. Yin is negative, while yang is positive. Yin is passive, while yang is active.

Does it mean that being one with the Tao necessary indicate a union on eternal spirit?

Tao merely means the natural way of the universe. Being one with the Tao does not indicate a union with an eternal spirit in the Hindu or Christian sense, but merely live with the change and accept the way of nature; that of impermanence and flexibility.

What does the Dao De Jing say about religion?

Unlike religions such as Christianity, Judaism, and Islam, Daoism does not believe in a single God. Daoists do not worship God; their goal is to find harmony with the dao.

What are the main beliefs of Daoism?

The most important of these concepts are (1) the continuity between nature and human beings, or the interaction between the world and human society; (2) the rhythm of constant flux and transformation in the universe and the return or reversion of all things to the Dao from which they emerged; and (3) the worship of …

What does the border guard tell Lao Tzu?

When he came to the Hsien-ku pass the border guard asked him to write down his wisdom, so Lao-tzu stayed with him and wrote the Tao-te Ching (“Classic of the Way and its Power”), a book of 5,000 characters in two sections that became the main scripture of Taoism.

How do I read the Dao De Jing?

The Dao De Jing consists of 81 chapters. It can be read from the first to the last chapter as a typical book but it is ot necessary to do so. In any event, true understanding will require multiple readings. For this reason, in addition to the Next and Previous page buttons we have provided a Random button which will take you to a randomly chapter.

What is the meaning of the book Dao?

The core of the book is the dao, or the way, suggesting a path to virtue ( de ). Virtue is the condition of being morally good. The path also leads one toward a state of spiritual understanding. What distinguishes Daoism from most other world religions is its emphasis on nothingness or detachment.

What is Lao Tzu best known for?

Lǎozǐ (Laozi or Lao Tzu) was a naturalistic philosopher-sage attributed with founding the Chinese way of life known as Daoism, and credited with having written the Dao De Jing (Tao Te Ching), though both claims have been historically disputed by scholars.

What are the main themes of Dao De Jing?

Other themes run through the Dao De Jing. One is an emphasis on the value of the feminine principle, with its qualities of fluidness and softness, like water (as opposed to the male principle of solidity, represented by the mountain).